Wood Veneer Face Grades
AA vs. A
Grade set the limits. Nature still sets the look.
A face grade caps which natural characteristics a veneer face can show, how many, and how large — it defines a range, not uniformity. Premium doors generally use AA face; Custom doors generally use A, and Custom is what you get when nothing is specified.
- Flitch Width
- Sapwood/Heartwood
- Mineral Streaks
- Worm Tracks
- Pin Knots / Burls
- Gum Pockets
AA VS. A
What changes. What doesn't.
A grade is a high-quality face veneer. The additional cost of AA buys tighter limits on natural characteristics — not a fundamentally different appearance.
TOPIC | AA PREMIUM | A CUSTOM (Default) |
|---|---|---|
Overall intent | Higher-control, more selective appearance | High-quality architectural appearance, more natural character permitted |
Natural characteristics | More restrictive limits | Broader allowances, within the species table |
Burls & pin knots | Fewer, smaller, more-restricted | More, larger, or more visible may be allowed |
Minimum face-width component; Plain-sliced / rotary | 5 inches | 4 inches |
Minimum face-width component; Quartered / rift | 3 inches | 3 inches (same) |
Repairs | Very small blending repairs | Small blending repairs |
Default match / assembly | Book match, center-balance match | Book match, running match |
Relative cost & availability | Generally higher cost; potentially less available | Generally lower relative cost, better yield |
Per WDMA I.S. 1A Flush Door Face Veneer Characteristics
SpecificationWatch-Outs
What grade doesn't guarantee.
01
A sapwood-to-heartwood ratio →
INSTEAD
Define the color range and balance — or specify white/select veneer.
02
Door-to-door color match →
INSTEAD
Agree on the expected range; a medium-to-dark stain softens contrast.
03
Identical grain, figure, or zero character →
INSTEAD
Specify figure separately; for uninterrupted grain, look at reconstituted veneer or HPDL.
04
A match to a small sample chip →
INSTEAD
Approve a finished 8" x 10" sample, mock-up high-visibility doors.
Facecharacteristicsbyspecies
Guidelines used to determine acceptable characteristics for a variety of wood species with respect to grade AA and Grade A. If doors are intended to be installed adjacent to or are intended to become part of other architectural woodwork, veneer criteria shall conform to HPVA veneer panel grades. When selecting a door face veneer, degree of figure is not a function of the veneer specie or grade. For a specific figure configuration, the architect or specifier should coordinate the specie, grade, and special figure requirements with the veneer suppliers.
Species | Grade | Sap-wood | Heart-wood | Color Streaks | Color Variation | Mineral Streaks | Worm Tracks | Gum Pockets | Small Burls or | Flakes | Cross Bars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Natural Birch | AA | Y | Y | S | Y | N | S | N | 1 per 5 sq ft. | N | S |
White Birch | AA | Y | N | S | S | N | S | N | 1 per 5 sq ft. | N | S |
Maple | AA | Y | N | S | S | N | S | N | 1 per 5 sq ft. | N | S |
Red & | AA | N | Y | Y | S | N | N | N | 1 per 4 sq ft. | S | S |
Cherry | AA | N | Y | S | S | S | N | O | 1 per 4 sq ft. | N | S |
African Mahogany | AA | N | Y | S | S | N | N | N | 1 per 5 sq ft. | N | S |
Walnut | AA | N | Y | S | S | S | N | N | 1 per 4 sq ft. | N | S |
©2016 Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association, Adapted to correlate to WDMA Industry standard. For the complete flush door face characteristics by species, refer to ANSI/WDMA I.S. 1A-2021 Industry Standard for Interior Architectural Wood Flush Doors.
Ready to Specify Face Grade?
Download the WDMA Face Grade Table, order a sample on the species you're considering, or talk with a Forte rep before the spec is locked.